Any student interested in applying to the BSW program must first apply for admission to Illinois State University. In addition to acceptance to the University, students apply for admission to the School of Social Work's Baccalaureate Program.

The School of Social Work offers a series of information and orientation sessions on the Illinois State campus to address questions about program and admissions requirements, the admissions process, financial aid, and field education.

School of Social Work Requirements

Admission to the BSW Program is selective and based on academic background, potential, motivation for the social work profession, and social/human service experience. Academic credit toward the baccalaureate social work degree is not given for previous employment or life experience.

The Undergraduate Catalog lists the most current criteria for admission to the Social Work Major.

To be admitted to the Baccalaureate Social Work Program a student must have:

Completed 30 semester hours of undergraduate coursework.
Completed General Education Requirements
Completed all required application forms
Earned a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4-point scale.
Transfer students from two-year colleges must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Earned a grade of "C" or better in all required social work courses.
Successfully completed a minimum of 25 pre-approved clock hours of volunteer or paid work experience (post high school graduation) in a social agency within the last two years. This requirement can be met through a broad range of experiences with populations or individuals experiencing a social problem.
Demonstrated suitability for the profession proven through the personal statement. Assessment of suitability is also based on professional standards of practice as specified in the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.

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